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Two years later
Serenity shook her head at her husband who was trying as best as he could to get the guestroom ready. Serenity wanted to help, but every time she so much as moved, Jonas was grumbling about her not straining, sitting still, couldn’t be moving all over the place, and such silliness. She sat in the rocking chair watching the man carry the linens to and fro to get them into the room.
“Mama,” a little voice called, and a little boy came barreling out of the house. His chubby cheeks dimpled as he grinned up at her when he hit her legs finally.
Serenity beamed down at the boy, “Henry, what do you have on your face?”
“Sweet,” Henry said with glee.
Serenity stood up and rushed to the kitchen praying that she would not find what she expected to. Her breath came out as a sigh when she saw an icing-covered spoon laying in a kitchen chair. “Did you find the spoon, Henry?”
The little boy nodded eagerly and held out his hand towards the spoon that his mother had just picked up. He clenched and released his hand as if to enticing Serenity to give him the spoon back. Serenity clicked her tongue at the little boy and shook her head. “You’ll spoil your supper,” she said and then she smiled, “Come on, let’s go get you washed up, handsome.”
Jonas stopped and looked at her curiously. Serenity held up the sugary spoon. “Ah,” Jonas said, “I wondered where that had gotten off to.”
“Yes,” Serenity said in amusement.
Jonas followed her and said, “You know that I wouldn’t give him that before his supper.”
“Unless you wanted him occupied,” Serenity said pointedly. “Did you get the bed made?”
Jonas nodded, “Yes. Everything is ready for them.”
“Good,” Serenity said softly. “My parents haven’t seen Henry yet, so I want to make a good impression. Is that so much to ask?”
Jonas sighed and put his hand on Serenity’s shoulder. “Of course not, it’s just … you are in no condition to get yourself all—”
“If you say riled up one more time,” Serenity said as she definitely could feel herself getting all riled up. “I swear, Jonas, I am not a porcelain doll. You have to stop treating me like this.”
With a fretful frown, Jonas nodded, “I know, I know. I just worry.”
“I know,” Serenity said softly, and she gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. “Now, go get started to collect them from the railroad. The last thing I need is for them meeting Josiah and getting all confused from the get-go. Now, go on.”
Jonas nodded and started out the door. “I’ll send someone up here to sit with you,” he called back as he left the house.
Henry giggled at the groan that Serenity made. She gave the little boy a kiss on the top of his hair as she set about wiping his face and hands clean. Then she sat outside to await the arrival of her parents while Henry played in the yard with Bandit.
It was only a short time later that Katrina arrived with a grin on her face. “Master sent me up here to look after you,” she intoned with heavy satire.
“Joy,” Serenity said with a smile. “How goes married life at your house?”
Katrina shrugged, “Doing well in the valley. I am still trying to convince Violet that she’s with child, but the woman will not listen to me. It is not normal to eat raw turnips like that.”
Serenity made a horrified face, and Katrina nodded. “Well, as long as life in the valley goes well, then I guess we are all set.”
“Nervous about your parents, huh?” Katrina asked with a grin.
Serenity declared, “Yes! I can’t believe that I’m really going to see them again. I just can’t quite accept it as real until they walk in that door.”
“It has been two full years,” Katrina said as Henry came running over. “Hey there, Big Man,” she cooed to the little boy. “Are you excited to see your grandparents?”
Henry gave Katrina a confused look, and Serenity laughed, “I don’t think he quite understands what a grandparent is. He is excited to meet the new baby, though.” Serenity patted her round stomach.
Henry screamed in glee, “Baby!”
Katrina and Serenity both laughed at the little boy’s antics. “I’m ready to meet the little one too,” Katrina said with a grin.
“Speaking of little ones,” Serenity asked pointedly as she had done for the last year or so. “Weren’t you supposed to have the next baby?”
Katrina scoffed, “Who can get a baby in edgewise around here with you and now Violet?”
“It’ll happen,” Serenity said with certainty. “You will be a wonderful mother.”
Katrina took a deep breath and said, “I hope I am. I’ve dreamed of having kids of my own as long as … well, forever.”
“Me too,” Serenity said with a sigh. “I am just sorry that I haven’t been much help down at the orphanage, what with the new ones arriving from the next county over.”
Katrina grinned. “Oh, you don’t have to fret about that. I love those kids, and besides, I don’t think your husband is one to be messed with when it comes to his beloved wife and her pregnancies.”
“You don’t have to tell me.” Serenity shook her head. “That man is the most protective person this side of Mississippi River, perhaps in the whole world.”
Katrina whispered, “Wait until Violet starts showing. Josiah is going to be a terror.”
Serenity gave a look of mock horror, and the women dissolved into giggles. “He probably will be,” Serenity said when she could finally breathe again without laughing. “Doesn’t seem like they’ve been going to town a long time?”
“It always seems like a long time,” Katrina said with a smile.
Jonas walked up the steps to the railroad station and gave the attendant a nod of his head. Josiah whispered, “Just relax.”
“You’ve done this before; would you like to tell me how I do that?” Jonas knew that Josiah did not deserve his anger, but he could do little to squash down the anxiety he had at not only leaving his pregnant wife but also bringing in two people that may cause her more stress. “How did I ever let her talk me into this?”
“Serenity is right, Jonas. These people deserve to know their grandkids,” Josiah said with a smile. He put his hand on Jonas’ shoulder. “I know that you are nervous for her, but you have to respect her wishes.”
Jonas said with a nod, “I know that. It doesn’t mean that I have to like it.”
The train whistle in the distance made Josiah shift and look around. “Well, that looks to be the right train,” Josiah said. “Do you think she told them that we are twins?”
Jonas looked over at his brother and chuckled. “I think they’ll figure it out if she didn’t,” he said with a shake of his head
The train came to a halt with a bellow of dust. Jonas and Josiah put their arms over their faces. When the dust settled, the passengers began disembarking, and there was a brief moment where Jonas hoped that perhaps the couple had decided to just not come, but then he felt awful for even having thought such a thing.
Josiah took a deep breath. “Not that many people getting off here,” he said. “That’s them, you think?”
“Looks like,” Jonas said as he sighed. He straightened his shirt and walked towards the couple who had set their bags down. As soon as the woman spotted Jonas walking toward them, she motioned to her husband excitedly. “Mr and Mrs Bishop?” Jonas asked hesitantly.
The man nodded, “Indeed. You must be Mr Jacob?” He held out his hand to Jonas.
Jonas took Mr Bishop’s hand in a firm handshake. “It’s nice to meet you both,” he said. He cleared his throat as Josiah came up beside him. “This is my twin brother, Josiah,” Jonas said as he introduced Josiah with a wave of his hand. “These are Serenity’s parents,” Jonas said politely.
Josiah gave them a smile. “We’ve heard a lot about you,” he said.
Mr and Mrs Bishop shared a look. Mrs Bishop said quietly, “I do hope that we can put the past behind us.”
Jonas nodded. “I’m sure that’s what Serenity would like more than anything. She’s waiting to meet you at the house. I didn’t feel the journey was really best for her in her condition,” Jonas said as he picked up some of the couple’s bags.
Josiah grabbed the other bags and said, “Please follow us. We’ve parked just down the street.”
“Of course,” Mr Bishop said as he followed the young men. He gave his wife an encouraging smile.
The trip back to the ranch was filled with mostly Josiah filling the couple in on the ranch where Serenity now resided. Jonas spoke when he found something useful to say, but Josiah was really better at talking to people, so he let his brother take the spotlight.
“Do you both live on the ranch?” Mrs Bishop asked curiously.
Josiah acknowledged from his seat in the back of the wagon, “Of course. I live in the main house with my wife, Violet. My sister and her husband live in what was once the guesthouse.”
“Serenity and I live up the hills a little in what was once my father’s old hunting cabin,” Jonas added.
Mr Bishop nodded. “Yes, I do recall a letter from Serenity saying that you were adding onto your father’s cabin.”
“Yes, Sir,” Jonas said with a smile. “We’ve added onto the house a lot since we moved in a couple of years ago.”
When they pulled up into the yard, Violet greeted them with a wave as she came out onto the front porch. “Well, you must be Serenity’s parents,” she said with a smile. “We’re awfully happy to see you two and hope you’ll be part of the family.”
Josiah hopped off the wagon. “Well, this is my stop. You all have a safe trip up the trail.”
“It was nice to meet you,” Mrs Bishop said politely to Josiah. “And this is your wife?”
Josiah said proudly, “Yes, Ma’am. This is my Violet.” Josiah put his arm around the petite woman’s shoulders, and Violet leaned into him happily.
“It’s nice to meet ya, as well,” Violet said to Mrs Bishop.
Jonas cleared his throat. “We better get going so that Katrina can get back down the hills before it gets dark,” he said pointedly.
Josiah gave the couple one last wave and his brother a smile before he guided his wife back towards the house. Jonas turned the wagon towards the hill trail and gave the reins a bit of a snap. “So, it’ll take a bit to get up the trail. I would suggest a nap, but I doubt you’ll get much rest with the bumps.”
Mr Bishop chuckled. “I don’t think I can sleep regardless.”
Mrs Bishop, despite her husband’s words began to yawn and stretch. She laid her head against her husband’s shoulder and soon the woman’s breath came out in soft puffs. Mr Bishop looked down at his wife affectionately. Then he glanced over at Jonas.
“You must think horribly of us,” Mr Bishop said softly. “Truthfully, it wasn’t my wife’s fault. It was mine. A fault of pride that’s what my sin was. I thought I knew better, that I knew what would make Serenity happy despite all her protests.” The man sighed, “I thought she was just young. My wife begged me to listen to her, but I put my foot down.”
Jonas nodded slowly, “I guess before we had Henry, I probably wouldn’t have understood that, but I think I do now.”
“I just hope she can forgive her mother. I don’t really deserve it,” Mr Bishop said quietly. He cleared his throat. “When Parson Lucas came to us beside himself with worry because Winston had gone off after Serenity, we began to see what sort of man Winston actually was. Before that, I had no idea that he was that way.”
Mrs Bishop stirred, and the men grew silent. The woman rubbed her eyes and looked at the two men. “What were you talking about that suddenly you are so quiet?”
Jonas chuckled, “You do sound a lot like Serenity. She is as sharp as a tack. I never can put anything over on her, not for long anyway.”
“That’s my girl,” Mr Bishop said with a smile. Mrs Bishop too ventured a smile. “Is that your cabin there?”
Jonas nodded. “Yes. You can just see the fire pit that Serenity likes to use at night from here. She sits on the porch and watches the fireflies,” Jonas said quietly.
Mrs Bishop asked worriedly, “You said before that she was in no condition to ride to town. Is she not well?”
“She’s well enough,” Jonas said thoughtfully. “She’s just very round with the baby, and she tires easily.”
Mrs Bishop smiled and put her hand on Jonas’ arm. “You are overprotective just like this one,” she said with an affectionate smile at her husband.
“I really don’t think I’m that overprotective,” Mr Bishop denied, but he had to shelve the discussion for later as they pulled up to the cabin a few moments afterwards.
Serenity and Katrina stood up. “Mama, Daddy,” Serenity said softly as the couple got out of the wagon.
Mrs Bishop took off across the yard, and Katrina helped Serenity down off the porch as the women hurried towards each other. When they met in the middle, they threw their arms around each other. Mrs Bishop held her daughter to her as Serenity mumbled nonsense into her mother’s shoulder. Mrs Bishop soothed her daughter by stroking her hair, “It’s okay, baby. We are the ones who need to be saying their apologies, not you. You did what you thought was right.”
“But so did you and Daddy,” Serenity said. “I know that I probably didn’t make it easy for you.”
Mr Bishop protested, “Nonsense. You were a perfect child. I think that was the issue. When you put your foot down, well, I just didn’t know how to take it. I chose poorly, and for that I am sorry.”
“You chose as well as you could,” Serenity said. “I tried to convey to you what I thought of Winston and the kind of man he was. I wish I had tried harder and not just pretended to go along with it.”
Mrs Bishop said soothingly, “I imagine we all feel we could have done more. I know I do, but right now I think it’s time we get you off your feet. Now, where is this wild grandson of mine?”
Serenity laughed and nodded. “He’s in the house. He and Bandit decided that inside was much more fun. Come on in.”
“Bandit?” Mr Bishop asked curiously.
Katrina said, “Oh, he’s their dog. I’m Katrina Pritchard, by the way.”
“Oh sorry, Kat,” Jonas said as he shook his head. “This is my sister, Katrina, Mr Bishop.”
Mr Bishop nodded. “Now I’ve met everyone except your husband,” the man said happily.
“I’m afraid you might not see David on this trip. He is out on the trails right now, and they aren’t due back in until next week,” Katrina said with a sad smile. “I’m sure he’ll be upset that he missed the excitement. Well, it’s getting pretty dark, and I still have to go all the way down the hill.”
Mr Bishop said, “Are you certain that you’ll be all right?”
Jonas chuckled, “Trust me she is just as good at riding as I am.”
“I’d say better,” Katrina said with a grin. “I’m leaving, Serenity!” Katrina called over to the house.
Serenity poked her head back out the door. “Be safe and tell Violet that I said eating raw turnips isn’t normal,” she called over to Katrina.
Katrina grinned and gave Jonas a wave as she climbed up onto the wagon. “See you tomorrow or whenever,” she said with a shrug.
Jonas nodded and waved goodbye to the girl as she turned her horse around to leave. “I imagine the horses will be glad to see their stalls tonight,” Jonas remarked with a chuckle.
“I imagine so,” Mr Bishop said.
Jonas motioned with his head towards the house. “Serenity made a cake, and trust me, you’ll want some of it,” he assured the man.
“Her mother makes very good cakes as well,” Mr Bishop said in a pleased tone as he followed Jonas towards the cabin. As they passed through the door of the cabin, Mr Bishop remarked, “This cabin really is crafted remarkably well, Mr Jacob.”
“Yes, Sir,” Jonas said with a nod. He patted the logs that made up the exterior wall of the front porch. “My pa cut and milled all this wood. He loved working with his hands.”
Mr Bishop asked curiously, “Was your father a carpenter or a rancher?”
“Out here, everyone is a bit of everything,” Jonas said with a smile at the man.
“He’s so beautiful,” Mrs Bishop said as she sat looking at her grandson adoringly.
Serenity smiled at her mother and then her son. “He’s just a bit shy. I’m sure he’ll warm up to you. He hasn’t really had any grandparents before this, with Jonas’ parents being gone. He’s got lots of aunts and uncles, though.”
“It’s good to have a family,” Mrs Bishop said with a nod. “We never had that much for you, and I regret that, but it was hardly something we could help I suppose. We hoped that the church would make up for it a bit, but I guess we were wrong there too.”
“No, not at all,” Serenity said as she sat at the kitchen table with her mother. “I loved the church and all the charity work that I did. That orphanage was my life as much as anything else. Those kids were my whole world.”
Mrs Bishop sighed, “And we made you leave all that.”
“That’s neither here nor there, Mama. I may not have that, but I have an orphanage here. This place never even had an orphanage until Jonas built one for them. We’re really helping here,” Serenity said as she reached her hand across the kitchen table.
Mrs Bishop smiled and took Serenity’s hand in hers that she clasped around Serenity like a lifeline. “I’m so glad to hear that you have your life’s work here. I can’t imagine you not doing your part for the community,” she said quietly.
They sat for a moment before Henry interrupted them. “Cake,” he yelled.
Serenity laughed and said, “I think we should probably eat supper first, Henry.” The little boy pouted up at her. “You’ll get cake. You just have to eat your food first.”
Jonas called from the door, “I guess we came in right on time. I swear I heard someone say food.”
Serenity smiled at the man. “You heard correctly. Help me get the table set.”
“I’ll help Jonas get the table ready. You just rest,” Mrs Bishop said as she stood up. Jonas shrugged at Serenity who just sighed and sat back down.
Mr Bishop went over to where Henry was playing with Bandit on the floor. “Hey there, buddy,” he said with a smile. “What are you playing?”
“Throw,” Henry called as he chucked a stick across the floor. Bandit raced after it, slid into a chair, but ultimately got the stick and brought it back to the two-year-old. Bandit dropped the stick on the floor in front of Henry who clapped enthusiastically for the dog.
Mr Bishop chuckled, “What a clever dog.”
“He’ll fetch almost anything, except for birds when you shoot them,” Jonas said with a chuckle.
Mr Bishop frowned. “Why won’t he fetch birds?”
Serenity smiled and confided, “Bandit doesn’t like killing things, and he won’t touch anything that’s dead either.”
Mr Bishop shook his head. “No wonder he ended up as your dog,” he said to Serenity.
The next day, Serenity’s parents were roused up bright and early by an eager Henry. “Pancake!” the child yelled for all to hear continuously.
“Sorry about the early wake-up,” Serenity said with a grin at her parents. “There’s coffee though, and pancakes as Henry probably gave away.”
Mrs Bishop smiled affectionately at the child. “Will we get to see the ranch today?” she asked as she sat down near her grandson who was already devouring a pancake.
“Yes, we can indeed. I have the run of the wagon today. Jonas has already fed and gotten the team hooked up,” Serenity said with a smile.
“Where is Mr Jacob?” Mr Bishop asked as he stifled another yawn.
Serenity smiled. “Oh, he’s been out for a couple of hours. Jonas is used to the trails and early mornings. He likes to get things done before lunch,” she explained.
“My, you all certainly do keep early hours,” Mrs Bishop said softly. “Do we have time to eat?”
Serenity assured her mother with a laugh, “You have all the time in the world.”
When everyone had eaten and gotten dressed, Serenity led the way outside to the wagon. Henry was eager to get down the hill and raced toward the wagon. Mr Bishop helped the child into the backseat where Mrs Bishop opted to sit down with Henry. Serenity stepped up onto the seat and pulled the wagon reins.
“I can’t say that I’ve ever seen you drive a wagon,” Mr Bishop said curiously to his daughter.
Serenity shrugged, “Out here, everyone does a bit of everything. It’s how we get by.” Serenity snapped the reins and soon the team was ambling down the hill at a good rate. The trip down always seemed to take considerably less time to Serenity.
The valley floor came swiftly up to meet them, and soon they were rolling towards the main house where Serenity pulled the team to a stop. “Mrs Jacob,” Charles called out as he hurried over to help Serenity down from the wagon.
“Charlie!” Henry called out with his hands in the air.
Charles made a big show of lifting the tyke up and setting him down. “I do believe that you gained a few pounds since the last time I saw you, young man,” he said with a deep chuckle.
“I ate pancakes,” Henry said with a giggle.
Charles nodded and chuckled again. “That’ll do it,” he said as he ruffled the little boy’s hair. “Uh, this must be your parents, Serenity?”
“Yes,” Serenity said to Charles. “Mama, Daddy, this is Charles. He’s one of our lead men. Usually, you find him out on the trails, but he opted to stay home this time.”
Mr Bishop shook the man’s hand. “I am very glad to get a chance to meet you. It’s so interesting this life that my daughter has. I hardly seem to know anything about her anymore,” he said earnestly.
“She’s pretty much what you see is what you get that one,” Charles said affectionately. “I do hope you enjoy your stay, but I have to get back to work.”
Mr and Mrs Bishop nodded that they understood as Charles gave Serenity and Henry a wave. Serenity said, “Come on, Henry. What do you want to show Granny and Grandpa first?”
“Play!” Henry yelled and raced off down one of the dirt roads.
Mrs Bishop looked alarmed, but Serenity assured her, “He’s fine. He’s just headed towards the orphanage. We can walk there.”
As they walked, Mr Bishop commented, “This ranch appears quite large.”
“It’s several hundred acres, I think.” Serenity shrugged. “I don’t even know for sure. You’d have to ask one of the boys or Kat to find out for sure.”
“It seems such a big task, especially with an orphanage on top of it,” Mrs Bishop said softly.
Serenity shrugged as they walked. She was glad for the cooler weather. Her girth would have kept her in the bed if it had been summer time. “That’s what family is for,” she said with a shake of her head.
“Speaking of … there’s Kat,” Serenity said as she picked up her hand and waved at the woman.
Kat saw them and waved back. She walked towards the fence and opened the gate to let Serenity and her parents through. “Welcome to the Cottonwood’s own little orphanage. We don’t have many children with us, but the ones we do are those that really need us,” Katrina said as she looked around at the four children running and playing with Henry.
“Mrs Pritchard, can we go swing on the tree?” a little boy with red hair asked Katrina as he tugged on her skirt.
Katrina nodded. “Of course, just stay where I can see you.”
The children all took off at a run towards the old oak that had housed an ancient swing from the Jacobs’ children’s childhood. Now there was a new swing that Jonas and Josiah had helped put up for the children to play on. “I do wish I could spend more time here,” Serenity said wistfully.
“You’ll have plenty of chance while I have my little ones,” Katrina reminded Serenity. “It’s give and take after all.”
Mrs Bishop asked eagerly, “Are you with a child too?”
“No,” Katrina said sadly, but then she put on a bright smile. “I will one day though, and Serenity will be there for me when I need her.”
Serenity nodded and smiled, “Of course I will. What is family for after all?”
Henry came running back over to Serenity. “Swim!”
“It’s a bit cool for swimming, but we can show your grandparents the stream,” Serenity said affectionately. She raised her hand and waved at Katrina who waved back as she went to see what the children by the tree were up to.
The rest of the morning found Serenity and Henry showing Mr and Mrs Bishop around as much of the ranch as Serenity could muster the strength for. By lunch, Serenity was exhausted and sipping cool, sweet tea in Violet’s kitchen.
“I do think that Henry already had them wrapped around his little finger,” Violet said with a smile that went all the way up to her tear-brimmed eyes.
Serenity sighed at Violet, “I really think you might be pregnant.”
“Because I’m a bit weepy?” Violet asked as she wiped her eyes.
Serenity sighed, “No, but you have to admit that you’ve been acting a bit weird.”
“This is just you and Katrina trying to push your baby nonsense onto me,” Violet said as she crossed her arms. “So, what if you are right? I mean … Katrina is supposed to be next.”
Serenity giggled. “Darling, I don’t think that’s how it works. Have you told Josiah, yet?”
“I thought I might wait until after your parents left,” Violet said as she gave a shaky laugh.
There was a gentle breeze blowing in from outside and carried with it the sound of Henry laughing and her parents’ pleased laughter as well. Henry was showing them the chickens. Serenity shook her head and eyed the woman across the table from her.
“I’ll support you no matter what, but I know that Josiah is going to be so happy that you’ll never get him to shut up,” Serenity said with a grin.
Violet laughed and said, “Maybe that’s the problem.”
“Do you miss your dad?” Serenity asked as she looked out the window at her own parents.
Violet shook her head. “No. My kids are better off with just tales of woe than the man himself. It’s just … what if I end up like him?”
“You won’t, you couldn’t,” Serenity said honestly as she reached across the table to grasp her sister-in-law’s hand. “You are the hardest working person that I have ever known, Violet. You are not your father.”
Violet took a deep breath and said, “Thanks. I do feel a bit better.”
“It’s hard to overcome something like that, but you’ve got us,” Serenity assured Violet who gave her a smile.
Henry quickly grew enamoured with his grandparents as Serenity had assured her mother that he would. He became so ardently attached to them that Serenity feared for when they left. Mrs Bishop approached Serenity a few days before they were scheduled to head back to New York.
“Can I speak with you a moment?” she asked quietly as Serenity sat keeping an eye on some biscuits she had placed in the oven.
Serenity waved her mother towards a chair in the kitchen across from her. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” Mrs Bishop assured Serenity. “You have such a lovely family and community here, Serenity. It is more than I even dared dream for you.”
Serenity nodded. “I do love it here,” she said honestly. “I can’t even imagine being anywhere else.”
Mrs Bishop smiled and reached her hand across the table. Serenity grabbed her mother’s hand, and the woman gave her a squeeze. “We were fully prepared to try and talk you into going home if that were the right decision, but it wasn’t. We saw as soon as we arrived how protective everyone was of you, of our grandchildren.” Mrs Bishop smiled. “You found a wonderful place here. So wonderful that your father and I are actually talking about moving out here to be a bit closer to our grandchildren. We’d get a place in town probably, or at least closer to town.”
“You want to move here?” Serenity asked in amazement. She knew her family was amazing people, but to convince her big city parents that they too needed to move here because of their love and support was more than Serenity had ever dared imagine.
Mrs Bishop smiled at her daughter. “We won’t if you don’t want us to, but we would like to in the future. It’ll take some time to get the estates and such sorted back home–”
Serenity interrupted her mother with a hug so unexpected and warm that she could do nothing but just embrace it. Serenity wiped tears from her eyes and nodded. “We’d be happy to welcome you home,” Serenity said softly as she released her mother.
Life had taken its twists and turns, but Serenity looked up to see Jonas watching them from the doorway with a smile on his face. He gave her a nod to say that he already knew, and she just smiled back at her husband. They were home, they were finally all home.
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Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
Loved this tale. Couldn’t put it down. Another success for this author. Looking forward to more.
Thank you so much, my dear Jeanne! So glad you enjoyed my story!
All Mrs Hanson’s books are so well written they grab the reader’s attention and don’t let go until the end of the extension. This was the seventh or eighth I have read.
The editing for spelling has also improved.
Thank you so much, dear! I’m so happy to read this!
I totally loved this story and all the ups and downs off all the characters. I was so involved in this book I read it in one day. Great reading!
Thank you so much, my dear! So glad you enjoyed my story!
i love a happy ending…..great story all round!..
thankyou……..sheila
You’re so welcome, my dear Sheila! So glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the book keep up the great writing
I loved this book!
So glad you enjoyed the story, my dear Kimball 🙂
Aurora;
I really don’t have the words to explain how very much I enjoyed Serenity’s Heart. You brought your characters alive and told a wonderful family story. Thank you for a GREAT read.
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Marie! Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate your support 🙂
really enjoyed this story.looking folrwarxd to more stories by this author.
Thank you so much, my dear Judy! More stories are coming!
A heartfelt ending for a wonderful emotional grab at your emotions story!
Thank you so much, my dear Janet! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Love the extended epilogue to a wonderful book.
Thank you so much, my dear Lee!
Wow, what a great story. You wrote a wonderful story. I felt like I was actually there. I had to read it at different times, because of my job. When ever I got a chance , I started reading. I did not like to put it down.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Virginia! So glad you enjoyed my story!
This was a great book! I read it in two days. I love Aurora Hanson books. They are light and refreshing.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Denise!
I really liked this book because of the love and committment the characters had for each other.
Thank you so much, my dear Mary! So glad you enjoyed it!
I so enjoyed the story, the twists and turns in the plot were awesome!
Thank you so much, my dear Dennise! So glad you enjoyed it!
5 Stars.
I would recommend this book for all ages. It is well written, the characters all have an individual personality which flows through out the book. They meld together a an real family allowing the reader to flow with them and feel the different mine sets. This keeps the book feel realistic and very interesting very interesting.
Thank you so much, my dear Kay! So glad you enjoyed it!
Very enjoyable, liked the extended epilogue. This was a fun book to read. The characters feel like real people.
Thank you.
I love all your books I can’t put them down when will you have more books coming out thank you for your fabulous stories
Thank you for your kind words and support my dear Elaine! I really appreciate it 🙂
Could not put it down, till the end
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Barb!
Lovely story! Your books are so beautiful and real, I get swept away. I’ve read them all and can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Donna! Stay tuned as I have more stories coming!
I so loved this book, I could’nt put it down. Great characters and so many twists and turns but it ended well.
I so loved this storyline..you tell w great story…I hope there will be more Serenity stories.. also Violet and Katrina… highly recommend this well written book.
I always enjoy reading the stories you write. I love that you don’t end your stories abruptly. You let us see how your characters enjoy life together after they realize they are in love. Now I am kind of curious if Katrina will have any children or not…
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Carolyn! So glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
I loved the gumption it took for Serenity to run away from her life and family to live her life the way she knew was right. Great read😊
Thank you so much, my dear Eileen! So glad you enjoyed it!
What a rewarding novel. The gracious characters showed such moral and loving care for others. So much of this has been lost in our time. It was so refreshing to read the overcomers reap the reward of happiness and with Serenity reconciliation. Wonderful characters.
Thank you so much, my dear Janet! So glad you enjoyed it!
Liked the story and the ending. Liked your bringing Violet into story line . Three friends are better than two…
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Patricia 🙂
Enjoyed the reading immensely. A great story for anyone
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Jo!
You have wrapped up this story in a delightful and charming fashion. It was a good read; enjoyable.
Thank you so much, my dear Richard! So glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the story, sorry it came to the end. HOPE YOU KEEP WRITING MORE BOOKS. YOU HAVE AGOOD FAN. t
THANKS FOR THE ENJOYMENT.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, my dear Miriam! So glad you enjoyed my story! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more coming!
Good book, catured my attention, kept me reading. Loved the interaction between the characters, and the EE brought everything together nicely.
Loved it, and the extention!
So glad you liked it, my dear Tootie!
Loved it and want more. I think I have read all your books and look forward to new ones.
Lovely! So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Tina! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more stories coming!
Great read. The extended epilog was truly what I needed to read. Keep writing – I love all your work.
Shirley
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Shirley! So glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
Great story, Aurora. Once I started the story I just wanted to keep reading. Can’t wait to read the next one.
I loved the telling of this story and the characters in it. I would like story to be continued more! Pleeease?
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Connie! Let me think about it! It’s a nice idea though 🙂
These books take me to a world I would love to live in! Thank you, Aurora!
You’re welcome, my dear Karen! Thank you so much for your kind words!
I’ve read about 4 of your books so far and I have loved them all. Looking forward to reading more.
So glad to hear that, my dear Carol! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more books coming!
Truly enjoyed the happy ending. It was great to see what you had planned as the future.
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Nancy 🙂
I loved everything about the book Serenity’s Heart as well as the extended epilogue. Thank you !
You’re welcome, my dear Pat! So glad to hear that!
Enjoyed this book you cannot go wrong with it. It is so real, you want won’t to put it down.
Thank you so much for your support, my dear Faye!
I have enjoyed reading this book and all your books so far.I have two or more books I am reading at the same time.I love to skip from modern day fiction back in time to the Highlands at about the 1400’s forward.So you see I read a wide variety of books.
That’s nice, my dear Thelma! Keep reading! So glad you enjoy my books 🙂
I loved it…… I want MORE!!!!! I need to KNOW about Katrina and Violet!!!!! Are there any books on them????? Please tell me THERE is!!!!!
I’m afraid no, my dear Janice. So glad you enjoyed my story though!
I just finished the second book by you and I enjoyed it just as much. I like to read romance novels but you don’t find many authors that keep it clean. I like that the characters have good morals. Time to buy number 3 keep up the good work.
That’s perfect, my dear Pam! Thank you for your kind words and support, I really appreciate it!
Loved the story! Thank you. Is there a book about Katrina or Violet? I would like to hear more about them.
LOVED THE CHARACTERS AND THE STORY YOU WOVE ABOUT THEM. I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED YOUR WRITING TALENTS. THANK YOU.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, my dear Nanette! So glad you liked the book!
This was a wonderful book. A delight.
Thank you so much my dear Janet! So glad you liked it 🙂
Lovely wholesome read that had somany twists and turns , I could not stop reading til the end ! Looking forward to he next book of yours . Thank you for the wonderful read that took me back in time .
You’re welcome my dear Carolyn! I’m so happy you enjoyed the story! 🙂
I loved your story and epilogue. Thank you for writing such a wonderful story.
I really enjoyed this book! I appreciate the way you write and the length of the stories. I read a lot so I’m done in a day or two! Thank you and keep writing.
I truly appreciate your sweet supportive words my dear Gloria! So happy you enjoyed my book! 🙂
I yruly enjoyed reading this precious story. There was just enough excitment and romance for an enjoyable read.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Loreta! I truly appreciate it!
I love this book stayed up till four in the morning reading it.I love how the story unfolds and everyone comes together in the family. The extended epilogue brought the parents to come and ask forgiveness and the whole family became FreeTime.
That’s fantastic my dear Brenda! So happy you have enjoyed my book!
I appreciate so much being able to read good books with no offensive content!! They are a rarity. I also enjoy a love story that does not stop at the proposal or wedding. It is satisfying to see the characters go on to have the happy life you imagined they would have! Thank you!
Your nice words mean a lot to me, my dear Phyllis! Thank you so much!
This story is very entertaining, and I was very happy to read the lifestyles of the characters. There is very much enjoyable humor and emotion in their lives, and I was thinking about the family connections, which are wonderful. I have enjoyed reading several of Aurora’s stories.
Thank you so much, my dear Jack. I am so glad you enjoyed my story!
O love this story!! It kept me on pins and needles I could hardly put it down!!
Enjoyed the story and detail about the ranch life. Love the people in the story. God Bless you for writing.
This book is awesome. I loved it and look forward to reading more of you books.
I loved this book, but I love all her books. This was a wonderful story and I couldn’t wait to get chores done so I could read some more. Can’t wait to read Katrina and Violets stories.
Enjoyed the book very hard to quit reading when had other things I had to do
This book as your other’s was such a good read, I find myself looking for a reason to sit down and read. Thanks!
Absolutely awesome
This was awesome, I like the family seen , plot is great thank you .
I loved this book and the extended epilogue. It finished the book. Thank you.
Loved the story and how it worked out in the end. Thank you for sharing your talent of writing with me.
Loved “For Serenity’s Heart”. She leaves home in order to avoid being forced to marry a man of her parent’s choice. Serenity knew the true character of him and decided to be a mail order bride. However, her choice of Josiah ends up leading her to his twin brother, Jonas.
Thank you, my dear Karen! That’s right! So glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
Serenity doing her time at the orphanage helping with the children. Her father decided she should get married. Their pastor had a son, Winston, but Serenity saw how bad he treated the children and pled with them to not make her marry him but they just would not listen. Josiah lived in Arizona and put an ad in the paper for a wife. They wrote each other for a year and she ran off where they couldn’t find her. This is about her and her new family there. This is about family, love, sorrow and many hard working days. I couldn’t put it down. Loved it.
That’s right, my dear Yvonne 🙂 So glad you enjoyed my story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
This was a very special book about family. I loved the entire story.
Thank you so much, my dear Karen!
Hi Ms. Aurora, I think this is the best you’ve done yet! Kudos to you!
Thank you so much, my dear Natasha! I really appreciate your words!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and good character development. You made Jonas standoffish at first but once we got to know him, he really was just protective of his family. A very good read!
Thank you so much, my dear Debbie! So glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoyed reading this book and the extended epilogue very much. It was hard to stop reading until the end. I always love happy endings and stories that make the reader feel good. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Karen! So glad you enjoyed my story!
I lovex this story andfound that I had trouble putting it down only I needed sleep. lovec the story line but eoulx have likedto see what hapoenec yo Wnston and his father. cannot wait for hd next story
Thank you so much for your support, my dear Cheryl! I really appreciate it 🙂
I loved this story about family…and finding our family where we are with those who love is as much as we love them. the extended epilogue finished it off perfectly.
Thank you so much, my dear Tracy!
This was an awesome book. I really and truly enjoyed it. Looking forward to your next book.
Thank you so much, my dear Odette!
I enjoyed this book and the epilogue. Was glad to find out what happened to everyone in the story.
Thank you so much, my dear Gloria!
I really enjoyed this story and the extended epilogue helped to round out and answer many of the questions regarding the future of Serenity and her new family. Just as in life the characters had to go through trials and times of uncertainty and indecision to obtain happiness. Great story! Please keep them coming. I have loved all of you books to date.
Thank you so much, my dear Susan! So glad you enjoyed my story!
This is one of the BEST books I have read. It is such a well rounded story, with highs, lows, and lots of love!! Absolutely 100% recommend this book it is a MUST read!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, my dear Tamara! I really appreciate it! So glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
I loved both the story and the extended story! So glad her folks saw how happy she was! So far I love everything you have written!
Thank you so much. my dear Beverly!
This Extended Epilogue was amazing and everything I hoped it would be. These three siblings are so close and the mates they chose are so very good for them.
I love how close all three families are and that Jonas’ in-laws finally came to their senses and now the family is complete. I will definitely re-listen to the story again after I catch up on all my other books.
Thank you so much, my dear! So glad you enjoyed my story!
So pleased that I am able to comment on this book this way, as I’m not able to submit anything on the amazon site for some unknown reason. Thank you for the book, I really enjoyed the way you put the story together and made the characters come alive! 😊
I know, my dear Sandy, Amazon misbehaves sometimes!
Anyway, thank you so much for your review! So glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
Absolutely phenomenal book. Loved the whole plot. I read it in one sitting. We all need feel good books like this one. Loved Serenity and Katrina and Violet and how they were always there for each other. They always built each other up instead of tearing each other down, like women should do. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you so much for your support, my dear Pat! I really appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed my book!
family is truly everything ,even if that family is people we pick up along the way. I loved this story and how it twisted and turned to end with everyone so tightly banded together .Another win for you Aurora !
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Debi! Thank you so much for your kind words!
Wonderful story of finding a extended family and forgiveness toward your own family.I loved it.
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Sharon!
Love this book. Really enjoyed it
Thank you so much, my dear Cathy 🙂
A marvelous read from beginning to end. The characters all came alive. The extended portion wrapped it up very nicely. I would recommend this to my friends. A good Five star.
I just love the book and also liked the extended story very much were hope and love prevailed.
Loved this story , almost any age could read this book and then the animals characters everything just melded together to make this story, could not put the book down. Definitely 5stars
Thank you so much, my dear Anna! So glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
A perfect ending thank you for sharing the epilogue.
Thank you so much, my dear Anita!
What a wonderful story of love, forgiveness, and loyalty that you have woven into this book! The beginning was filled with fear of a man, love for children & unhappy confusion with parents. This book also shows that love knows no bounds, color or religion even in close families. Quite a page turner with excitement.
5 stars
Dear Ms. Aurora: 😆 Thanks for writing such a, Sweet, well-rounded story!! The characters were each so unique in their individual personalities – it was great to see them each develop in front of my eyes!
Other than a few spelling & grammar errors here & there, it was well written & developed. If you ever need a good editor to help with a read-through, I would be more than happy to offer my services! I do quite a bit of editing for my daughter’s books!!
I love Serenity, her ups & downs, her sweet, unassuming character, & her deep-down LOVE for each of her ‘Family’!!
A very enjoyable read, clean read, (I would have liked a bit more romance & expression of Married Love feeling) included, especially after the Wedding!!
All around, I Loved the entire book and each character as they were introduced into the story!!
Gloria Crowther
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Gloria! So glad you enjoyed my story! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more coming 🙂
I have read all four of these books and thoroughly enjoyed them all. Can’t wait to see if you are going to write anymore.
Thank you so much, my dear Carole! So glad you enjoyed it! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more stories coming!
Thoroughly enjoyed Serenity’s story. So many twists and turns. Book held me spellbound from beginning to end. Thank you for the extended episode.. it really brought the family feeling together.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Peggy! So glad you enjoyed my story! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more coming!
Loved the book,but felt like I missed a chapter or two on the other two weddings. Would like to read another on the same families as their lives progress.
So glad you enjoyed my story, my dear Amanda!
Loved the story! What a sweet lovely tale! I enjoyed the turmoil between the twins and I’m so glad you brought Violet into the picture. Great tale!
Thank you so much, my dear Kathy! So glad you enjoyed it!
Enjoyed your book immensely. It had a little of everything. Hope to read more of your books. Good story line.
Thank you,
Judy Marceaux
Thank you so much, my dear Judy! So glad you enjoyed it! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more stories coming!
Loved your story and gifted writing. Hadn’t read a book in a couple years. Saw you were also from North Dakota, so knew I had to try one of yours. So glad I did-thoroughly enjoyed! Thank you!
You’re welcome, my dear Joanne! I really appreciate your support!
That was a wonderful story. I loved the way you allowed us to get to know each character and how they all fit into the family. I felt such go each of them. I am so happy and looking forward to your next book.Thank you so much.
Thank you for your kind words, my dear Linda! So glad you enjoyed my story! Make sure to stay tuned as I have more coming 🙂
I love your books. This was another fun read. Looking forward to starting my next book “Loving a Runaway Bride”.
So glad to hear that, my dear Cindy! Hope you’ll enjoy that one too! Let me know 🙂
I really loved this book too. I can’t wait to read more of your books. Thank you for all your wonderful books.
I could not put this book down, I had to finish reading it in one setting! I love the strong family bond throughout the story!
Thank you,
You’re welcome, my dear Rhonda! Thank you so much, coming out soon!
Great book. Thank you for the extended epilogue. I really enjoyed this book.
You’re welcome, my dear Cecilia! So glad you enjoyed it!
Another wonderful book. A special rendering of how two people fell in love. As a mail order bride serenity expected to marry Josiah but on meeting his twin brother jonas a little spark of feeling fanned into a love they could no longer ignore. A lovely story I couldn’t put down. Thank you aurora and am looking forward to your next book as I always enjoy them immensely.
Thank you for your support, my dear Sue, I really appreciate it!
Loved this book and didn’t want it to end!
You are so sweet Laila! Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂
Serenity and Jonas have been married for two years now and have a little boy Henry and she is expecting their second. She is a little nervous and Jonas is making her take it easy. Her parents are coming in on the train and he needs to go pick them up. What will this be like? Could be disastrous, but they both agree that they should be allowed to know their grandchildren. This is such a great extended epilogue and helps to put a really happy ending to the story. Thank you Aurora for your great stories!
My dear Mary, I feel really humbled! Thank you so much for your kind words and support, it is really important to me!
What a REMARKABLE story! I loved how the twins found love interest for each other but I really enjoyed the sister and how she ruled them all! The extended epilogue was great glad she reconciled with her parents.
Thank you so much, my dear Louiseann! So glad you enjoyed the story!
I believe this was the first book that I’ve read written by you. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a delightful reading and it was refreshing to read a clean written novel. Looking forward to reading more of your books. I love the mail order bride books. The epilogue gave it a great closure. Would love to see it turned into a series so we would know more about the other family members progress. Thank you!
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it, dear Connie! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Well, you have done it again…lovely story line, and can you believe nothing that a person would hesitate to recommend. What a talented person you are. Thanks for taking the time to do the story correctly. A+
I’m humbled, dear! Thank you so much for your kind words!
I really don’t have the words to explain how very much I enjoyed Serenity’s Heart. You brought your characters alive and told a wonderful family story. Thank you for a GREAT read.
Thank you, dear Elaine for your support! It really means a lot to me!
Wonderful family story. I would have loved to grow up with that family. Everyone was so real,. Thank you for writing it.. It’s what a family should be like.
So happy you enjoyed it, dear Kitty!
What a beautiful story! I loved the Jacob’s family & beautiful Serenity. I was hooked from the beginning thru the extended epilogue!
Your books never disappoint!!
looking forward 2 the next adventure !
Thank you so much dear Cecelia! I am truly grateful for your support and feedback! ❤️
I always enjoy your stories. Please keep writing and thanks for sharing your talent with me!
A story of a lovely family with hope and a lot of love for each other.